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North Hampshire Lifestyle Mar - Apr 2024

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Work for an organisation<br />

you can be proud of<br />

After dedicating more than 30 years to<br />

his position, Ken decided to take a step<br />

back to reflect on what he wanted to do<br />

next. As someone who thrives on engaging<br />

with people, he discovered he really<br />

missed interacting with customers and<br />

helping them to resolve their problems.<br />

When he popped into the Society to open a new savings<br />

account, Ken realised they were advertising for people to<br />

work in his local branch. He went for an interview, and the<br />

rest, as they say, is history!<br />

We caught up with Ken to find out about what a day in his<br />

work life looks like, what he enjoys most about his job, and<br />

whether he’d recommend it to others.<br />

What do you like most about your role at the Society?<br />

“I wanted a role where I could speak and deal with people,<br />

and my role is perfect for that – I get to build rapport and<br />

relationships with our customers, especially our regular<br />

ones who have been coming into the branch for years. I’ve<br />

also built some brilliant friendships with my colleagues over<br />

the years and have even maintained friendships with people<br />

who no longer work in the branch.”<br />

What skills do you need to work in a branch?<br />

“Definitely adaptability – it’s an old cliché but no two days<br />

are the same! Being able to adapt to the busier periods,<br />

such as ISA season, as well as the quieter times, is a helpful<br />

skill. Getting on with people and building relationships with<br />

people of all ages is also really key. Our customers love us<br />

because they get to know the people who work here.”<br />

What would surprise people about working for the<br />

Newbury?<br />

“It’s such a personal place to work. I was made to feel very<br />

welcome when I first started, and even Phillippa, our CEO,<br />

makes an effort to learn your name and welcome you to the<br />

Society. It’s a really friendly atmosphere.”<br />

How does your role at the branch fit into your life?<br />

“I have now been working part-time after nearly 40 years of<br />

working full-time. This has been a big change for me which I<br />

am slowly adapting to, but having a supportive and adaptable<br />

manager in Lisa has really helped with the transition.<br />

Branch roles can be flexible nowadays, so it’s great for students,<br />

people who have maybe been off or away from work<br />

for a long time, or even people with young children.”<br />

What piece of advice would you give to people who are<br />

unsure about a role in finance?<br />

“Definitely to not be afraid if you’ve not got a finance background.<br />

I hadn’t worked in finance before either. Newbury<br />

provides great training and it’s all about the journey and<br />

learning.”<br />

Working for Newbury Building Society<br />

We strive to make the Society a great place to work and<br />

offer a range of benefits including personalised training<br />

anddevelopment, a community-focused organisation with<br />

the chance to support local charities, 2 paid volunteering<br />

days per year, and your birthday off.<br />

To find out about roles in your area, visit<br />

www.newbury.co.uk/careeers/.<br />

Newbury Building Society is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority<br />

and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register number 206077). English Law applies and we will communicate<br />

with you in English. We are participants of the Financial Ombudsman Service. We have a complaints procedure which we will<br />

provide on request. Most complaints that we cannot resolve can be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service. 9391<br />

Newbury<br />

Building Society

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